4. Quitate_3.95.1_aps.mp3 vs. Quitate_test_aps.mp3Comment: Hard to abx. I got 4/4, then lost the difference. If I have more time to relax between trials, I'll probably be able to do it. The test version seems to be better, but the improvement is small, compared to the difference to original.

5. Quitate_3.90.3_aps.mp3 vs. Quitate_3.95.1_aps.mp3 7/7Comment: The difference is a little bit bigger than in 4., it seems like 3.95.1 has less pre-echo, but I'll have to re-check this using ABC/HR.

I don't have time to keep on testing right now, so I'll post the results + the sample and probably add more results later.

Note that ABXing the mp3 samples against each other was quite hard. The ratings 3.0 for 3.90.3 and 4.0 for 3.95.1 exaggerate the differences between them. The difference between the best mp3 and the original is still (I'd say 3 times) bigger than between the mp3s. I think it could be even possible, that other listeners rate the mp3s in another order.

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Let's suppose that rain washes out a picnic. Who is feeling negative? The rain? Or YOU? What's causing the negative feeling? The rain or your reaction? - Anthony De Mello

A big thanks is in order, definately, to everyone involved in testing, and of course, Gabriel and others for developing

A question I have is: Do the tweaks of --aps remain the same between 3.90.3, 3.95 and this test version? And are those tweaks "Optimum fine tunings for the MP3 codec", or will they themselves need tweaking given a new lame, with a modified psymodel / pre-echo control / whatever?

I wish I had some spare time to help testing (I dont even have time at home to even read the forum, really!)

I've tried to ABX 3.95.1 and this 3.96 alpha on some "short blocks samples". Both encoders are really close. I failed on most files (but I had to admit that my ears were tired after Roberto's test and an additional session).Nevertheless, I've ABXed with success three files : bachpsichord, and two others (two percussive instruments) I've can't post for the moment. 3.96.a was slightly more affected by pre-echo, but difference was hard to find (for the last file, I've performed three ABX tests before succeeding).

P.S. On these short samples, 3.96a encodings were bigger than 3.95.1 (but more short-blocks for 3.95.1, according to encspot).